I'll never be French (no matter what I do)
- 244 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Author and teacher Mark Greenside recounts his struggles to fit into the life of a small Celtic village in Brittany.
Mark Greenside Books
Mark Greenside is an author whose work is deeply informed by a rich tapestry of life experiences. He has engaged in civil rights activism, protested war, offered counseling, served communities, led unions, and taught at the college level. These diverse roles infuse his narratives with a profound understanding of human nature and societal dynamics. His stories, featured in numerous literary journals, offer readers a compelling exploration of the world through a lens shaped by continuous engagement and a drive for deeper comprehension.
(Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller! In the spirit of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, the author of I'll Never Be French invites readers into the vibrant world of Brittany, a realm of color and flavor. Each summer, American writer Mark Greenside returns to Plobien, a small Breton town, where he resumes his charmingly awkward Francophile life. Despite feeling mellowed and humbled, he grapples with everyday dilemmas: What should he cook for a French guest? Who yields at roundabouts? Where does he pay a parking ticket? And most daunting of all, when can he touch the tomatoes? Two decades after his impulsive decision to buy a house in Brittany, the nuances of French living still perplex him. Continuing the journey from his 2009 memoir, (Not Quite) Mastering the Art of French Living chronicles Greenside's daily escapades in his adopted home, where even simple tasks become adventures filled with stories. Through numerous trials and errors, he learns the unwritten rules of engagement, discovers what he truly needs, and embraces gratitude, especially in moments of failure. "This is my world, the Old World that is constantly new to me," he reflects, revealing the unexpected challenges of mastering French living after more than twenty years. Both seasoned Francophiles and armchair travelers will enjoy Greenside's humorous exploration of French life and his affection for his community.
